Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-29
A cnucu, OF Republican members OF the

| CONSIDER DIS bearing upon the
fic. Senator Edmunds presided. bill
modifying the present tax law was read.
| IL increased the tax, made no discrimlna-
ton between beer and whisky, increased
the bonds and put other restrictions upon
the sale of liquor. This bill, though nomi-
nally under discussion, was really not
much considered. Ii simply gave mem
bers an opportunity To air their views,
which proved 10 be as various as the dr.
ferent speakers. Chapman OF Hlllsdale.
| appeared rs an irreconcilab believer in
local option. Rumsey oflngham, broader
and more liberal man thought the present
tax law, with certain more stringent pro
visions and perhaps state consta6ulhry
| Watson of Montcalm, whom experience
has taught that compromise Is the true
mission of politics, also favored the pres
ent tax law, but not To the same degree OF
| stringency some Others proposed.
Speaker Marley, though not adverse 20
the tax law, was somewhat inclined TO
high license. Mr.. Diekema of Ottawa had
views similar to those of Watson, but per
haps more clearly defined. w. ]. Babcock
of Berrien was inclined TO hold with Dieke-
ma, and Bates Of Allegan also expressed
his opinion in favor OF something not
greatly variant from the present tax law.
Abbott Of Lenawee, "A clear headed man,
rather sided with Rumsey and Watson, but
was not strenuous tor the bill that was
presented After conference lasting
about three hours the caucus adjourned
sub Jet TO tho call of the chairman.
The governor has approved the bills for
| the organization of log and timber insur
ance companies for the Incorporation OF
societies OF pharma lists, authorizing the
trustees Of Kalamazoo asylum to convey
certain land TO Kalamazoo city, and one
relative TO co operative savings associa-
tions.
A delegation from the state Pharmaceut-
| N at a
| Legislature the other day, and held a con
ference with the house committee on the
liquor traffic. The druggists OBJ ct to be-
ing classed with saloon keepers, and after
very forcibly setting forth this fact TO the
committee. presented TO the legisl ature
the following as embodying succinctly
their views on the liquor traffic
Resoiped. That the following measures
| whereby it may be possible to reach and
tax those pharma lists who are willing 70
degrade their profession by selling liquor
for other than medicinal purposes and IN
direct violation OF the laws OF the state,
be declared the sense OF this meeting and
he transmitted by the secretary thereof 10
the members of the Legislature.
That we consider the present law ample
| and sufficient: but as not being enforced.
! We recommend that "A state constabulary
be appointed for the enforcement Of the
| said law. For the first VIC alton thereof
the person so convicted as a penalty to
pay the amount OF the regular saloon Ii
| cenSe. Tor the efOnu VOCATION the regis
! tratlOn as IN lrmaci. 10 lie ordered re
| vokcd 10y the state board of pharmacy,
an the person so convicted shall he incl
igible for registration in this state for
term OF five years.
The senate has passed the bill appropri-
ating $4,000 for the erection OF "A build
ing for the mining school at Houghton.
The senate has passed the bill reincor-
porating Saginaw city, and adopted the
amendment annexing the Carrolton strip.
The house has passed the bill 20 appro-
pirate $1,000 for the purcha Of land by
| the Kalamazoo asylum. the same 10 he
| paid out Of the surplus money in the hands
of the treasurer. The bill also authorizes
the trustees 10 erect two buildings 70 ac-
commodate thirty patients each at a cost
not exceeding 500; and 10 build store
rooms me { safe and refr gerator and
rooms for manufacturing mattresses at a
cost not exceeding 5 >53 the whole 20 be
paid out of the surplus ,cumulationS Of
the asylum.
The railroad committees OF the two
| houses held a meeting n few days ago
TX GOV. Algor appeared before them and
spoke against any enactment that would
bear hard upon the railroads. lie claimed
that the raj roads were not remunerative,
| although some Of them we're becoming
mile for passenger rates would be 30 low
for the railroads. that none Of tie com
pan O. could make IL pay at that rate, eX-
cept possibly the Michig in Central or the
Michigan Southern. The president OF tie
Michigan Central had said that the legis
lature had no authority TO fix rates for
the main line of his road, as the company
worked hy special charter, and TN reforo
the governor did not see how IL would be
justice to establi h a low rate for the 9th
er companies. He recommended that a
committee examine the books of the rail
road companies before taking any action
looking TO the fixing OF passenger or
freight rates.
The house has passed a bill reducing the
legal rate Of interest TO six per cent. where
no special contract Is made.
The bill of Mr.. sharp OF Jackson TO re
peal the act OF 1850 levying tax OF s3ti,
600 TO toe paid TO the counties from viii h
state swamp lands have heen sold from the
year 1875, as arrears Of intcre at five per
cent, upon fifty Ter cent Of the gross re
oepts OF such sale, 10 be divided among
the counties in proportion TO the number
OF acres sold in each coun Y. has pa s-d
the senate. The other bill OF Mr.. Sha p
upon the same subject a so passed he
existing law provides that half of the pro-
ceeds from the sale of swamp lands shall
go 10 the primary schOo, fund, or rather
that the intere at five per cent Of the
| proceeds snail dnnNhlN lie iiult 10 the
school districts of the state upon a per
capita basis. Mr.. Sharps bill amends this
law and directs that tn entire proceeds Of
the sales OF swamp lands heretofo n, re
ceived and all hereafter re reived shall 20
10 the primary school fund and the int
est at five per cent. shall be- distributed
upon the old basis. This wi materially
increase tie primary school interest fund
The governor has signed the bill forbid
ding the unlawful use Of the b c Of the
G.. A. r., and Loyal Legion.
The was an | means committee o. the
house have reported in fav r Of cutting
the appropriations asked for improving
the oilers home from So. 3 70 - go a
reduction OF 50 $50. The item cut out
are: Hospital. SIS OcO; dead house $50:
barn $40 q; vegetab house. : IL: lire ro-
ction. SOB Some of these items were
asked on the timsie,t Iretexr For in
stance, the committee found that there
was an aver lge OF ~ de ths er year at
the home. The cemetery was near at
hand. and interments were sr9edy There
was abso utely no Leces ity tor the so
called dead house Other items re
foun equally extravlgant.
Tho senate N as passed the bill anprOpri